The 1994 National Survey of Freshman Seminar Programs: Continuing Innovations in the Collegiate Curriculum. The Freshman Year Experience Monograph Series No. 20.

Barefoot, Betsy O.; Fidler, Paul P.

This monograph presents data from a 1994 national survey on freshman seminars gathered from 1,003 accredited, two- and four-year colleges with student populations of over 100 students. The survey investigated the content and structure of freshman seminars in a mail survey of provosts/vice presidents for academic affairs at 2,460 institutions Among responding institutions, 723 institutions reported they already offered a freshman seminar and 56 institutions were planning such a seminar. The most common seminar types found were: extended orientation, academic orientation with uniform academic content, academic orientation on various topics, professional or discipline-based orientation, and basic study skills-oriented orientation. Many institutions indicated they offered a hybrid of these types. Most freshman seminars had 25 or fewer students. Analyses provide information on seminar goals and topics, enrollment, grading, linkage to other courses, instructional style, instructor training and compensation, and evaluation/assessment. Qualitative analyses illustrate the five seminar types at five particular schools--Longwood College (Virginia), Union College (New York), Carleton College (Minnesota), Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), Santa Fe Community College (New Mexico). Results are compared to previous surveys done in 1988 and 1991. Appendixes include the survey instrument and a listing of institutions currently offering freshmen seminars. (Contains 26 references.) (NAV)